Overview
Linux is a powerful, open‑source operating system that powers servers, desktops, embedded devices, and more. This guide provides essential information for developers working with Linux environments on the Microsoft platform.
Installation
Microsoft offers several ways to run Linux:
- WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) – Install directly from the Microsoft Store.
- Azure Virtual Machines – Choose Ubuntu, CentOS, Debian, and others.
- Docker Containers – Use official Linux images for development.
WSL Installation Steps
wsl --install
wsl --set-default-version 2
wsl -d Ubuntu
Command Reference
Common Linux commands useful for developers:
Command | Description |
---|---|
ls | List directory contents |
cd | Change the current directory |
grep | Search text using patterns |
chmod | Change file permissions |
apt-get | Package manager for Debian/Ubuntu |
systemctl | Control system services |
Filesystem Layout
Key directories in a typical Linux system:
/bin
– Essential user binaries/etc
– Configuration files/home
– User home directories/var
– Variable data such as logs/usr
– Secondary hierarchy for read‑only data